riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Mason County Disaster Risk

Mason County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#212

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mason County, Texas

Mason County is among America's safest places

Mason County's composite risk score of 10.97 places it in the lowest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, earning a "Very Low" rating. The county sits far below the national average across nearly all hazard categories. This exceptional safety profile makes Mason County one of the most secure locations in the nation for property and life safety.

Second-safest county in all of Texas

Mason County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Texas with a score of 10.97, far below the state average of 49.00. The county is one of only a handful of Texas counties with such minimal composite disaster risk. This position reflects Mason County's favorable geography relative to hurricanes, tornadoes, and other major Texas hazards.

Safest of the West Texas comparison group

Mason County (10.97) ranks alongside McCulloch County (10.05) as the two safest counties in the broader West Texas region. The county's Hill Country location avoids both coastal hurricane paths and the wildfire-prone terrain of higher elevations. Martin County (19.97) and Lynn County (23.00) follow as the next-safest regional options.

Wildfire dominates; other hazards are minimal

Wildfire risk (70.13) is Mason County's only notable natural hazard, driven by Hill Country brush and grasslands. All other hazards measure well below state and national averages: tornado (20.58), hurricane (41.51), flood (25.45), and earthquake (2.61). This concentrated and modest risk profile greatly simplifies disaster preparedness.

Wildfire prep is your main priority

Homeowners should maintain defensible space around structures with cleared brush and fire-resistant landscaping, addressing Mason County's 70.13 wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance is more than adequate for the county's minimal tornado, hurricane, and flood threats. Flood and earthquake insurance are unnecessary for nearly all Mason County properties.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mason County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    25th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Mason County

Risk Verdict

Mason County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Mason County's 11th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Mason County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (25th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Mason County's primary hazard at the 70th percentile nationally. For Mason County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's hurricane exposure at the 42th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Mason County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Texas county average, Mason County's composite score runs 38.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Mason County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Mason County, TX?
Mason County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Mason County?
Mason County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (70th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 70th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Mason County risk compare to the Texas average?
Mason County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mason County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Mason County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mason County's wildfire risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Mason County is at the 25th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Mason County a safe place to live?
Mason County's composite risk score of 11th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.